XML analysis for web services

SURREY, UK: Triometric, specialists in Web performance and real-time monitoring, have launched the Triometric XML Analysis Module, a new product for 2008 that enables Web services providers to have clear visibility of the nature of requests made by their customers, including errors and general usage.

The XML Analysis Module works in conjunction with Web Analyzer, Triometric’s, real-time monitoring product. Web Analyzer analyses Web and network traffic in real-time and then converts the data into a detailed understanding of the performance, reliability and usage of Web applications.

However, with the advent of Web services (a software system designed to support interoperable ‘machine to machine’ interaction over a network), it is necessary to parse the XML content to understand the nature of requests and the performance of Web applications.

A Web service is the communication between client and server using XML messages. These XML messages are carried as a payload or content over the Web and contain the details of the transaction between two systems. Web services are frequently used between a service requester and a service provider in many forms of business to business service provision. They are attractive because they offer a standardised approach and XML is a powerful means to express complex interactions.

“For B2B service providers it is essential to understand and improve the quality of service they are delivering to their customers as well as the impact and resources customers’ requests make on their systems,” says Matthew Goulden, managing director of Triometric. “Equally, for requesters, they need to know the quality of service they are receiving as this impacts their customers.

He added, “The XML Analysis Module is designed to break down and report on the information in many ways, for example by individual customers. For service providers the XML Analysis Module allows them to ensure they are delivering their high value customers excellent service. This real-time data is made available through powerful reporting tools. If desired, alerts can be set up with regard to events to ensure service provision is maintained within Service Level Agreements or other agreed parameters.”

The first deployment of XML Analysis has been with Gulliver’s Travel Associates (GTA), a division of the travel giant, Travelport Group.

“We wanted to increase our success rates and improve the return on our infrastructure investment,” explains Chris Anders, IT Operations Manager for GTA.

“Because we understand how key customers interact with the gateway, we've been able to make recommendations to them and train them to use GTA services more effectively. We can see which customers are providing the best return on our infrastructure investment.”

Triometric Web Analyzer and the XML Analysis Module mines transactions for Web activity and usage metrics that help GTA distinguish between profitable and non-profitable clients. IT staff are alerted to inefficient, resource-intensive queries such as mass downloading of hotel availability data.